Former Illinois governor speaks of 'brutal' time behind bars

CHICAGO -- Dan Walker, the only living former Illinois governor who has served time in prison, says George Ryan's conviction this week on corruption charges brought memories of his own experience behind bars.

In prison, Walker scrubbed toilets and picked up cigarette butts, using a wooden rod that had the words "Governor's Stick" burnt into it.

He was also threatened by fellow inmates and forced to stand outside in the cold while waiting for meals, but Walker said the most humiliating part of the ordeal was being subjected to random searches where prison guards would bark out "strip, squat and spread."

Walker, 83, served 17 months in a minimum security prison after pleading guilty in 1987 to bank fraud, perjury and other charges related to his ownership of a suburban Chicago bank. None of the crimes were linked to his term as governor, which he served from 1973 to 1977.

"Having been there -- I repeat, having been there -- I do not wish jail for any person," Walker told the Chicago Sun-Times in a phone interview from his home near San Diego. "I really feel sorry for George and his family. ... I wish no man to have that."

Ryan, 72, and longtime friend Larry Warner, 67, were convicted on Monday of racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud and other offenses. The indictment said Ryan steered state leases and contracts to political friends and was rewarded with gifts ranging from expense-paid vacations in Jamaica to a free golf bag.

Although his attorneys have vowed to appeal the conviction, Ryan's sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 4. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison on just one count alone, but most likely he will get much less time.

Walker, who served his sentence at a prison in Duluth, Minn., didn't have any advice for Ryan because that would be "very presumptuous," but said the loss of freedom experienced in prison is significant.

"It will hit him hard, no question about it," Walker said.